Railway signaling apparatus.



PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907. V- L. RAVEN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING, APPARATUS. Arrnmulon rILnn Arm-2a. 1001.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

Application filed April 23, 1907- Serial No. 369,881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VINCENT LITCHFIELD RAVEN, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Darlington, in the county of Durham, England, have invented Improvements in Railway Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

In the specification of another application for Letters Patent filed by me dated April 18 1907 and numbered 368,897, I have described various constructions of railway signaling apparatus according to which there are provided on an engine or other vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an engine), visual and audible signals that are under the control of electro-magnetic apparatus the circuit or circuits of which is or are arranged to be closed by the action or influence of metallic bars respectively called Nos. 9 and 10 arranged on the track behind and in the neighborhood of the line signal the position of Which it is desired to indicate to the engine driver, the arrangement being such that upon an engine approaching a line signal, the visual and audible signals on the engine will, by reason of the presence of the bars, be first operated so as to indicate danger and call the attention of the driver to the fact that he is approaching a line signal, and if the line signal be in the on or danger position, the visual and audible signals will, as the engine continues to travel towards the line signal, such as the home signal, at which he must stop if such signal be at danger, con tinue to indicate danger so as to necessitate the engine coming to rest, whereas should the line signal have been moved into the off or line clear position, the visual signal will be automatically returned to its normal or line clear position and the audible signal will cease to sound, thus indicating to the driver that the line signal is in the line clear position so that he may continue to advance. Bar No. 9, which may or may not be insulated, serves to close, as by the aid of brushes, or equivalent devices, and without attention, the circuit of an electric battery through a main electro-magnetic device and cause the visual and audible signaling devices to operate when the engine passes over the said bar, the several devices mentioned, excepting the bar, being on the engine. Bar No. 10 is however under the control of the signalman through a line switch and is arranged to have no effect, or only the same, effect as bar No. 9, on the signaling devices on the engine, if the line signal be at danger but to cause the closing of the circuit of a second battery arranged either on the line, or on the engine, preferably the former, through a releasing electromagnetic device on the engine, when the line signal is in the line clear position and the engine passes over the said bar, and thereby cause the visual signal to return to its normal or line clear position and the audible signal to cease sounding.

Now an object of the present invention is to adapt signaling apparatus of the kinds referred to in the said former specification for use in cases where, for instance, there may be no distant line signal but where it is de sired to give a signal, both in clear and foggy weather, at a part of the line where a distant signal would ordinarily be located and which is hereinafter called for distinction, the distant signaling point, the signal in this case being given by the signaling means upon the engine, the arrangement being such that the engine driver will be informed when he is passing the distant signaling point, by the operation of the signaling devices on his engine, whether the corresponding home signal is in the danger or line clear position. For this purpose, the line switch for determining the action of bar 10, as above described, is operated or controlled from the hand lever used in the signaling cabin for working the home signal; or from the connections used for operating such signal; or it may be worked from a special or independent lever in the signaling cabin but this will usually be unnecessary. When the second battery for use with bar 10 is a stationary one, as is preferred, it may be placed in the signaling cabin and may have in circuit therewith an indicating device and a high resistance device. In other respects the apparatus is or may be constructed and arranged to work substantially as described in the former specification.

The accompanying illustrative drawing shows, diagrammatically, railway signaling apparatus embodying the present invention.

1 is the visual signal carried by a post 2; 3 the main magnet; 4 the releasing magnet; 5 the bell or audible signal; 6 and 7 brushes; 11 an electric battery having one pole connected by the conductor 16 to the brush 7 and its other pole connected to the other brush 6 through the main magnet 3 by means of the conductors 16 and supplementary switch 2728; 19 and 20 conductors by which the bell 5 is connected in a shunt to the terminals 21 and 22 of the main magnet; 24 and 25 a second supplementary switch and 26 a conductor forming together a supplementary circuit for maintaining the circuit of the main magnet 3 and bell 5 closed after the brushes 6 and. 7 have been short circuited, and 17, 17 are conductors by which the releasing magnet 4 is connected to the brush 7 and to earth through the frame of the engine, the above mentioned parts being on the engine. 9 and 10 are bars fixed on the track, and 15, 15 are the track rails." The several parts above mentioned are arranged and operate in the manner described in my said former specification in connection with Fig. 2 thereof, except as to the way in which bar 10 is connected to earth, and that the circuit of the releasing magnet 4 is, in the present instance, shown as being completed through a polarized indicating device 56 for indicating which of the two home signals 8, 8 at a junction of two lines A and B may have been moved into the line clear position, as described in my said former specification in connection with Fig. 5 thereof.

In the present example, bar 10 is arranged to be connected through a wire 7 O and one set of contacts 71, 71- and 71 of a double line switch to one pole of a line battery l2 the other pole of which is arranged to be connected to earth through another set of contacts 72, 72 and 7 2 the bar 10 being also connected to earth through a resistance The line switch and battery 12 are arranged in the signaling cabin at C and the movable contacts 71 and 72 of the double line switch are insulated from each other and carried by the hand lever D used for working the home signal 8. The arrangement is such that when the home signal is at danger and the corresponding hand lever D is consequently in the normal or inoperative position shown, the double line switch 7172 will be open and the bar 10 will act like the bar 9 to maintain the visual and audible signals 1 and 5 on the engine in the danger condition, but upon 7 moving the home signal 8 into the line clear posi- 72 will be inserted between the fixed contacts 71-7 1 and 7 2-72 respectively so as to connect the insulated bar 10 through the battery 12 to earth,so that when brush 7 bears against bar 10, the circuit of the battery will be completed through the releasing magnet 4 and earth, and the armature 29 and rod 30 of such magnet thereby caused to open the supplementary switch 27 28 and so open the circuit of the main magnet 3 and bell 5 and put the visual and audible signals 1 and 5 on the engine out of operation.

At a railway junction, as in the arrangement shown, there would be a double switch, such as described, for each of the two hand levers D for the two home signals 8 8, the switch for one hand lever being arranged to cause current to flow from the battery 12 in one direction through the releasing magnet 4 and polarized indicating device 56, and that for the other hand lever being arranged, as shown, to cause current to flow from the battery in the reverse direction through the releasing magnet 4 and polarized indicating device 56, so that the engine driver can determine for which line A or B the home signal has been moved into the line clear position.

70 is an indicating device arranged in the circuit of the conductor 70" for indicating the passage of an electric current, and the direction thereof, through the said conductor.

The resistance 7 0 serves to reduce the current flowing through the circuit of the battery 12 after the hand lever D, or one of such hand levers, has been moved into the line clear position and the brush 7 is not in contact with bar 10, and yet allow of suflicient current passing to operate the current indicating device 70 to show that the apparatus is in working condition.

48 are intermediate bars connected to the conductor 7 0 and arranged between the bar 10 and the home signal 8, or home signals 8, 8, to enable the signals 1 and 5 on the engine to be returned to the inoperative or normal condition upon moving the home signal into the line clear attitude after the engine has passed over bar 10, so as to obviate bringing the engine to rest unnecessarily.

Means may be provided on the engine for giving an indication to the engine driver in the event. of inability; on account of displacement or other cause, of the contact brushes (3, 7 or equivalent, to fulfil their function, or of failure of the battery 1.1, or of the electro-magnetic signaling apparatus 3, 4t and 5 on the engine. For this purpose, an electro-magnetic indicating device may be used comprising, as shown, an electro-magnet 112 having a high resistance winding connected in shunt directly to the brushes 6 and 7, and the armature 113 of which carries a visual indicator 114', the winding of the electro-magnet being so connected to the brushes, as shown, that should the latter, or either of them, be completely displaced by accident, the connection to the said winding will be broken. The armature 112), which serves as a movable contact, is connected by conductor 11.5 to one terminal of the electric bell 5, to one terminal 24. of the supplementary switch 2425, and to one terminal 22 of the main magnet 23, and is adapted to bear, it may be under the action of a spring blade 116, or equivalent, when not attracted by the electro-magnet 112, against a fixed switch contact 117 that is connected, as by a conductor 118 and the conductor 26, through the battery 11 to the opposite terminals of the said bell 5 and main magnet 23. The arrangement is such that, normally, the electro-magnct 112 is connected in a high resistance shunt circuit directly across the brushes 6 and 7 and the armature .l l 3, thereby held in a position in which the visual indicator 114 is out of view, or indicates that the brushes and connections are intact, but upon the brushes 6 and 7, or either of them, being completely displaced by accident,'or upon failure of the battery 11, or oi the cir cuits of the electro-magnetic signaling apparatus 3 or 5 to which the brushes 6 and 7 are connected, the armature 113 will be released and moved by its spring 116, or equivalent into a position, as for example behind an aperture 119 in the indicating device, to bring the visual indicator 114 into position to notify such fact. It the battery 11 be intact, the said movement of the armature 113 of the indicating device will also complete the bell and main magnet circuits and thereby give an audible signal, and will also raise the miniature semaphore arm 1 of the signaling apparatus to the danger position A switch 120 is or may be placed in the battery circuit for opening such circuit and preventing waste of current in the failure indicatii-ig device when the engine is out of use.

In other respects signaling apparatus according to the present invention may be like that described in the said former specification.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with a signal on the vehicle and electromagnciic means for causing the same to be maintained at danger position after being moved to such position, of means for automatically causing the said signal to be so moved to indicate danger while the vehicle is at a point on the track distant from the home signal, and means governed by a track device in accordance with the operation of the home signal to alter the vehicle signal to line clear when the home signal is operated to indicate line clear.

2. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, off an passed over said bar, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal and adapted when energized to cause said "ehicle signal to indicate line clear, and a source of electric supply adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said intermediate track bar in accordance with the operations of the home signal.

3. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track anda home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal, a second track bar intermediate such bar and the home signal, an electromagnetic device arranged in the vehicle signal circuit and adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electromagnetic device arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit adapted to remain open whemthe vehicle passes over the first track bar and over the second intermediate track bar while the home signal is at danger and adapted when closed to energize the second electro-magnetic device and thereby cause the vehicle signal to return to the line.

clear condition, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signal is at danger, and means for connecting such electric source with the'second har aforesaid when moving the home signal to line clear, and thereby cause the second electromagnetic device to be energized when the vehicle passes over said second bar.

4. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with a signal on the vehicle and electromagnetic means for causing said signal to be maintained in a condition to indicate danger after being caused to so operate, of means for causing the said signal to be moved to indicate danger when the vehicle passes over a part of the trackdistant from the home signal, and means on the ve hicle for indicating that the circuit conditions are normal.

In a' railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally openelectric circuit'for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal and adapted to close said circuit and cause the vehicle signal to indicate danger when the vehicle passes over said bar, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal and adapted when energized to cause said signal to indicate line clear, a source of electric supply adapted to be connected to the intermediate track bar while the home signal indicates line clear, an carthed resistance device connected to said intermediate track bar for permitting a small current to flow through the circuit, and a device for indicating such flow of current.

6. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal and adapted to close said circuit and cause the vehicle signal to indicate danger when the vehicle passes over said bar, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal and adapted when energized to cause said vehicle signal to indicate line clear, contacting devices connected to the circuit of the vehicle signaling device and adapted to engage the track bars, and a nor-- mally energized electromagnetic indicator connected in shunt across said contacting devices.

7. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination withthe track and a home signal thereon, of an elec-' trically operated signal on a vehicle, a. normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal and adapted to close said circuit and cause the vehicle signal to indicate danger when the vehicle passes over said bar, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal and adapted when energized to cause said signal to indicate line clear, contacting devices connected to the circuit of the vehicle signaling device and adapted to engage the track bars, anormally energized high resistance electromagnetic indicator connected in shunt across said contacting devices, and a circuit including an audible signal adapted to be closed simultaneously with the operation of the indicator aforesaid 8. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal, a second track bar between the first mentioned bar and the home signal, an electro-magnetic device arranged in the vehicle signal circuit and adapted tobe energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a -Second electro-magnetic device arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit adapted to remain open when the vehicle passes over the first track bar and over the second intermediate track bar while the home signal is at danger and adapted when closed, to energize the second electro-magnetic device and thereby cause the vehicle signal to return to the line clear condition, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signal is at danger, means for connecting such electric source with the second bar when moving the home signal to line clear, and thereby enable the second electro magnetic device to be energized when the vehicle passes over the second bar; means for continuously establishing a circuit while the connec tion is established between the second track bar and source of current, and means for indicating that current is flowing in such circuit.

9. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal, an electromagnetic arranged device in the vehicle signal circuit and adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electro-magnetic device arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit adapted to re main open when the vehicle passes over the first track bar and over the second intermediate track bar While the home signal is at danger and adapted when closed to energize the second electro-magnetic device and thereby cause the vehicle signal to return to the line clear condition, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signal is at danger, and a line switch in the signaling cabin adapted to be operated by movement of the lever controlling the home signal to connect and dis connect said electric source with the second track bar.

10. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vehicle, a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a' bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signal, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal, an electro-magnetic device arranged in the vehicle signal circuit and adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electromagnetic device arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit adapted to remain open when the vehicle passes over the first track bar and over the second intermediate track bar while the home signal is at danger and adapted, when closed, to energize the second electromagnetic device and thereby cause the vehicle signal to return to the line clear condition, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signal is at danger, a line switch in the signaling cabin adapted to be operated by movement of the lever controlling the home signal to connect and disconnect said electric source with the second track bar, an earthed resistance device connected to the track at a point distant from the home signal, a second track bar between the first bar and the home signal, an

electro-magnetic device arranged in the vehicle signal cir cuit and adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electro-magnetic device arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit. adapted to remain open when the vehicle passes over the iirst track bar and over the second intermediate track bar while the home signal is at danger and adapted, when closed, to energize the second electro-magnetic device and thereby cause the vehicle signal to return to the line clear condition, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signal is at danger, a line switch in the signaling cabin adapted to be operated by movement of the lever controlling the home signal to connect and disconnect said electric source with the sec ond track bar, an earthed resistance device connected to the second track bar for permitting a small current to con tinuously [low from the source of supply when the latter is connected to the bar, a device for indicating whether such current is flowing or not, contacting devices con nected to the circuit of the vehicle signaling device and adapted to engage the track bar, a normally energized high resistance electro-magnetic indicator connected in shunt across said contacting devices, and a circuit including an audible signal adapted to he closed simulta neously with the operation of the indicator aforesaid.

' 12 In a railway electrical signaling system, the com bination with a pair of home signals for a track at a junction, and audible and visual signals on a vehicle for running over said'track, of a normally open electric circuit, for said vehicle signals a track bar located on the track at a point distant for the home signals, another bar between such bar and the home signals, an electromagnetic device in the vehicle signal circuit adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electro-magnetic device also arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit and adapted to remain deenergized while the vehicle passes over the first track bar and also over the second intermediate bar while either of the home signals is at danger, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signals are at danger, a line switch for each signal operating lever in the signaling cabin adapted to supply current of reversed polarities alternatively to the second electro-magnetic device which is arranged to be energized through the second track bar and to then cause the vehicle signals to indicate line clear, and a route indicator arranged to be operated when said second electromagnetic device is energized, to indicate which home signal has been moved to the line clear position.

13. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with a pair of home signals {or a track at a junction, and audible and visual signals on a vehicle for running over said track, of a normally open electric circuit, for said vehicle signals, a track bar located on the track at a point distant from the home signals, another bar between such bar and the home signals, an electromagnetic device in the vehicle signal circuit adapted to be energized whenever the vehicle passes over the first distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itself energized, a second electro-magnetic device also arranged on the vehicle in a normally open circuit and adapted to remain deenergized while the vehicle passes over the first track bar and also over the second intermediate bar while either of the home signals is at danger, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signals are at danger, a line switch for each signal operating lever in the signaling cabin adapted to supply current of reversed polarities alternatively, to

the second clectro-magnetic device which is arranged to he ener ized through the second track bar to alter the condition of the vehicle signals when the vehicle runs ovcr said second bar and a polarized indicator connccled in circuit with the electro-magnetic device for indicating which home signal has been moved to indicate line clcar.

1 t. In a railway electrical si naling system, the coun bination with a pair of home 'nals on a track at a junction, and audible and visual signals on a vehicle for running over said track, of a normally opcn clcclric circuit for said vehicle signals, a track bar located on the track at a point distant for the home signals, another bar between such bar and the home nals, an elcctro-magnclic device in the vehicle signal cir uil; adapted to be cncn gizcd whenever the vehicle passes over the iirst distant track bar and to thereafter maintain itscll' energized, a second e1cctroanagnctic device also arranged on the vehicle in a normally opcncircuit: and adapted to remain de'c nergized while the vehicle p: es over the first. track bar and also over the second intermediate bar while either of the holne signals is at danger, a source of electric supply disconnected from the second track bar while the home signals are at danger, a line switch for cacll signal operating lever in the signaling cabin adapted to supply current of reversed polarities alternatively to the second electro-magnclic device which is arranged to ho cncrgizcd through the second track bar when the vehicle passes over such bar to alter the condition of the vehicle signals to indicate line clear, contacting dcviccs connected to the circuit of the vehicle signals and arranged to engage the track bars, a polarized indicator connected in circuit with the second clectro-magnetic device ifor indicating which home signal has been moved into the line clear condition, an earthed resistance device connected to the second track bar for permitting a small current to continuously ilow from the source of supply when the latter is connected to the bar, and a device for indicating whether such current is flowing or not.

15. in a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track and a home signal thereon, of an electrically operated signal on a vchiclc. a normally open electric circuit for the latter signal, a bar located on the track at a point distant; fronrthe home signal 1nd adapted to close said circuit and cause the vehicle mil to indi cate danger when the vehicle passes over d har, mcans for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a plurality of insulatcd track bars between the llrst bar and the home 'nal and adaptcd when energized to cause said vehicle signal to indicate line clear, and a source 01 electric supply adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said intermediate track bars in accordance with the operations of the home signal.

16. In a railway electrical signaling sysicm. the conr bination with the track, a home signal thcrcon and ap paratus located in a signaling cabin for operating said home signal, of a normally open circuit on a vehicle dcsigned to travel over said track, electrically opcratcd audible and visual signals arranged in said circuit and adapted to indicate danger when said circuit is closed, a bar arranged on said track at a distant signaling point and adapted to close said circuit when the vehicle passes over it, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a sccond bar arranged in advance of the first bar, a plurality of bars intermediate the second bar and the home signal, a sccolnl electromagnetic device arranged in a second normally open circuit on said vehicle for opening the first. mcn tioned circuit when closed, said sccond bar and each of the intermediate bars being adapted, when energized, to close said second circuit, a conductor arranged to cncr gize said second bar and each 01' said intcrmcdiatc hars when its circuit is closed, an electric generator, and a switch located in said signaling cabin and adaptcd when closed to complete the circuit of said conductor through said generator, said switch being arranged to he closed i and opened when the home signal is operated to respectively indicate line clear and danger.

17. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with the track, a home signal thereon; and apparatus located in a signaling cabin for operating said home signal, of a normally open circuit on a vehicle designed to travel over said track, electrically operated audible and visual signals arranged in said circuit and adapted to indicate danger when said circuit is closed, contacts connected to said circuit, a bar arranged on said track at a distance from said home signal and against which said contacts bear and close said circuit when the vehicle passes over it, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a second and insulated bar arranged on the track in advance of the first bar, a plurality of insulated bars arranged on the track and intermediate the second bar and the home signal, a second electromagnetic device arranged in a second normally open circuit on the vehicle for restoring, when energized, the vehicle signals to normal or line clear condition, said second circuit having one end connected to a contact adapted to engage said second bar and each of the intermediate bars, and its other end earthed, a conductor connected to said second bar and each of said intermediate bars and having one end earthed through a resistance device, an electric generator having one pole earthed, a switch located in the signaling cabin and arranged to connect the second pole of said generator to the second end of said conductor when the home signal is operated to indicate line clear and to dis connect said generator from said conductor when said home signal is moved to indicate danger, and a current indicator in the circuit of said conductor.

18. In a railway electrical signaling system, the combination with a track at a junction, two home signals one for each branch of the track, and separate hand operated mechanism located in a signaling cabin for separately opcrating said home signals, of a normally open circuit on a vehicle designed to travel over said track, electrically operated audible and visual signals arranged in said circuit and adapted to indicate danger when said circuit is closed, a bar arranged on said track at a distant signaling point and adapted to close said circuit when the vehicle passes over it, means for maintaining said circuit closed after the vehicle has passed over said bar, a second bar arranged in advance of the first bar, a plurality of bars intermediate the second bar and the home signal, a second electromagnetic device arranged in a second normally open circuit on said vehicle for opening the first mentioned circuit when closed, said second bar and each of the intermediate bars being adapted, when energized, to close said second circuit, an indicating device arranged in said second open circuit for indicating which home signal has been operated, a conductor arranged to energize said second bar and each of said intermediate bars, when its circuit is closed, an electric generator, and two switches located in said signaling cabin and each arranged when closed to complete the circuit of said conductor through said generator, said switches being arranged to be closed and opened by the respective signal operating mechanism in said cabin when the respective home signals are operated to indicate line clear and danger respectively and to reverse the connections of said generator to said conductor and earth.

Signed at Newcastle-on-Tyne,England, this ninth day of April 1907.

VINCENT LITCHEIELD RAVEN. Witnesses W. H. NIXON, ARTI-IIUR C. STAMER. 

